Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)

The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) is an intergovernmental organisation bringing together the 28 European Union Member States and 15 countries from the Southern and Eastern shores of the Mediterranean. It provides a unique forum to enhance regional cooperation and dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean region. The Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean, based in Barcelona and the first permanent structure dedicated to the intergovernmental Mediterranean partnership, is the operational institution that empowers this regional dialogue between the UfM Member States and stakeholders, fostering synergies among them and promoting cooperation projects and initiatives with a direct impact on the lives of people. Priority Areas Business Development Foster job creation and support the development of SMEs through the UfM Mediterranean Initiative for Jobs (Med4Jobs) Design and implement a strategy for private sector's development Advance the digital economy and support creative industries in the region   Transport & Urban Development Propel the Trans-Mediterranean Transport Network by providing permanent technical support and mobilising available funds Promote regional projects contributing to foster long-term growth and regional integration Advance the Euro-Mediterranean Sustainable Urban Development Strategy Identify and promote innovative urban projects along with UfM institutional partners under the framework of the Urban Projects Finance Initiative (UPFI)   Energy Reinforcing structured regional dialogue on energy and climate change between member states, regional organisations, financial institutions, industry and experts; Supporting project promotion from identification of priorities until implementation with appropriate resources; Promote projects and their replicability in the region.   Environment & Water Promote access to water resources and water management Protect the Mediterranean Sea, its environment, and overall sustainable development Contribute to de-pollution and pollution prevention efforts in the region   Higher Education & Research Empower the two regional centres for Euro-Mediterranean Higher Education: the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fes and the EMUNI University Facilitate coordination and provide a platform for Mediterranean higher education and youth mobility Improve the quality of vocational training and higher education in the region in view of increasing the student employability Facilitate North-South dialogue within Mediterranean scientific research frameworks   Social & Civil Affairs Advance the regional agenda on gender equality and develop a Euro-Mediterranean women’s empowerment initiative; Enhance women’s access to the labour market and entrepreneurial networks; Mainstream a gender approach in UfM projects and initiatives. What They Do Platform for Regional and Policy Dialogue The UfM gathers the 43 Member States’ representatives together on a regular basis. It serves as a framework for policy dialogue and exchange of project ideas, experiences and best practices among governments, key international institutions and cooperation structures. The UfM provides a unique platform to formulate regional priorities and decide on specific cooperation initiatives to be put in place. Strategic Projects and Initiatives for the Region The UfM Secretariat ensures operational follow-up of the regional priorities identified and in partnership with key international actors promotes region-wide cooperation projects and initiatives that address the root causes of the current regional security and socio-economic challenges to foster enhanced regional integration and sustainable development. Projects and initiatives are implemented within the framework of the UfM in the six strategic priority areas. The aforementioned priority areas fall within three main thematic strategies which allow the UfM to address in a crosscutting way the main concerns facing the region today and provide lasting developmental solutions intended to touch thousands of lives directly and provide tangible results on the ground.